Combined safety and sound-producing device for radiators



J. A. swlNnLE- 2,455,533 comme SAFE'HMD soUND-Pnonucme DEVICE rok-"RADIATORS Filed :Jan.26, 1948 :inventor si Mm Patented Dec. 7, 1948 COMBINED SAFETY AND SOUND-PRODUC- ING DEVICE FOR RADIATORS John A. Swindle, Norwalk, Calif. Application January 26, 1948, Serial No. 4,323

s claims. (ci. 11s-e7) l This invention relates to a safety and signaling device for water-cooling radiators and the like, and deals more particularly with such a device for operative association with automotive vehicle.

When the cooling system of an automotive vehicle becomes clogged becaused of accumulations in the capillary tubes of the radiator or for other reasons, cooling of the water is ineiclently accomplished and, therefore, steam is generated. Such steam seeks egress through an overow tube but presents ahazard to a person seeking to remove the cap of the radiator for the purpose of both relieving the steam pressure and replacing water that has been boiled oil. Burns to the hands, or worse, are common under the above adverse conditions.

An important object of the present invention is to provide means that will apprise a person that there is steam in the cooling system so that due care may be taken.

Another object of the invention is to provide an aural signal that is sounded by the steam in the cooling system to Warn persons of that fact.

Another object of the invention is to provide means that also automatically hastens relief of steam pressure so that the radiator cap can safely be removed.

My invention also has for its objects to provide such means that are positive in operation, convenient in use, easily installed in a Working position and easily disconnected therefrom, economical of manufacture, relatively simple, and of general superiority and serviceability.

The invention also comprises novel details of construction and novel combinations and arrangements of parts, which will more fully appear in the course of the following description. However, the drawings merely show, and the following description merely describes, one embodiment of the present invention, which is given by way of illustration or example only.

In the drawings, like reference characters designate similar parts in the several views.

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary partial side elevation and partial sectional view, showing the novel combination of a radiator and safety and signaling device contemplated herein.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the signaling means of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view as 3--3 of Fig. 1.

A conventional water cooling radiator 5 having a cap 6 closing the lling opening thereof, is providedwith the usual overflow tube 1. When the radiator of an taken on une 2 said radiator is iilled to its capacity, any overow will pass oi through the end 8 of tube 1. Also, should the radiator iill with steam, said steam will pass out through said tube.

According to the present invention, the radiator is provided with combined safety and sound-producing means 9 that are mounted on said end 8 of tube 1. Said means, generally, comprise a tubular extension Ill, and a whistle II carried by the latter.

The extension III- has one end that is slipped over tube end 8 and is preferably cemented in place, and an opposite end that is outwardly dared at I2 and then formed with an inwardly angularly directed flange I3 that terminates in an annular opening I4 considerably larger than the passage of tube 1.

The tubular extension II) is preferably resilient and is suitably formed of molded rubber to also be elastic. Intermediate its length, said extension is provided with one or more slits I5 that are normally closed, but are adapted to open under pressure within said extension.

The whistle II can best be described as a conventional tin whistle and is here shown as consisting of oppositely domed thin metallic discs I6 that are each provided with a relatively small opening I'l and dene a sound chamber I8 therebetween. The whistle, thus provided, is readily slipped in place across the passage I9 of extension I0 by suitably stretching ange I3 and forcing the whistle into the annular seat 20 formed at the line of -iointure of flare I2 and flange I3.

It will be evident that excess water in the radiator can readily drain off through openings I1; that, upon steam being generated inV said radiator, said steam will sound the whistle by vibrating domed discs I6 to warn that the system, of which the radiator forms a component, is under steam pressure; and that, should said steam pressure become too excessive for free passage through the whistle, the slits I5 will open to provide additional egress openings to relieve said pressure. It will further be evident that the whistle will sound, when steam passes therethrough, whether or not the slits have been forced open, and that the slits are self-closing and are normally closed.

While I have illustrated and described what I now regard as the preferred embodiment of my invention, the construction is, of course, subject to modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. I, therefore, do not l wish to restrict myself to the particular form of construction illustrated and described, but desire to avail myself of all modiilcations that may fall within the scope of the appended claims. ,f Having thus described my invention, what I' claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with a conventional watercooling radiator having an overflow tube, of a sound producing device carried by the end of said tube and having an opening for passing water overflowing in said tube and also passing steam generated in the radiator, said device comprising' oppositely curved relatively thin disc-like elements that deilne a chamber therebetween in communication with said opening, and a resilient tubular member connecting the overiow tube and the sound producing device, the latter memi in the radiator.

self-closing slits that open under excessive pressure of steam moving toward the whistle.

3. In a, device of the character described, a resilient tubular member adapted to be connected to and form an extension of the overflow tube of a water-cooling radiator, the tree end of said member being ared and terminating in an inwardly directed ange, and a whistle retained in position across the opening of said member by said flange and adapted to sound under pressure of steam generated in the radiator and seeking egress through the tubular member and through the whistle, said tubular member having normally closed s lits formed in the wall thereof and adapted to open under excessive pressure of steam to hasten reduction of pressure of steam JOHN SWINDLE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

